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	MEDIA AND SOCIETY

MEDIA AND SOCIAL INCLUSION RESEARCH
Media is one of the most important actors for developing and shaping public opinion in many issues. Within this framework, it can be argued that the media plays a significant role in shaping public opininon as regards disadvantaged groups such as women, children and disabled people.
‘Media and Social Inclusion’ Research, conducted by Assistant Professor Mine Gencel Bek from Ankara University focuses on the representation of disadvantaged groups in Turkish newspapers. The research is based on news published in the daily Turkish newspapers Hurriyet, Sabah, Aksam and Vatan between January and October 2005 and examined the representation of women, children, disabled people, sexual minorities and cultural groups.

The current situation regarding the media society relations can be found in Highlights from the Media and Social Inclusion Research section below. You can read the whole research from here.

Highlights from Media & Social Inclusion Research

		What is the rank of representation of the social groups in the Turkish media?

	Social groups are represented by the following rank in the Turkish media: i.Women ii.Children iii.Cultural groups (ethnic, religious, sectarian) iv.People with disabilities v.Sexual minorities

		What are the main characteristics of news coverage of women?

	Women have the biggest representation rate in the media but they are represented less in news on government, bureaucracy, political parties and local government issues. Women are represented more with their physical appearance and beauty as celebrities, singers, models, etc. A news that has no relevance to a woman’s body (e.g. a health news) is presented with photos exhibiting women’s bodies.

		How are female politicians and professionals represented in the news?

	The physical appearance of politicians is highlighted as well as that of models and singers. Gender and female identity of politicians and other professional women are emphasized in the news (E.g. woman commander, mayor, minister, etc.). They are mostly mentioned with their first names including women politicians (e.g. Yulia, Condi, Ursula)

		What is the representation rate of NGOs in the Turkish media?

	Representation rate for NGOs is less than 2%. Celebrities have a much higher coverage in the news than politicians and NGOs.

		What are the main characteristics of news coverage of sexual minorities?

	Sexual identities are mostly depicted in relation to murder, prostitution, etc. A relation is formed between sexual identities and violence. Being gay/lesbian is displayed as a reason for violence. Sexual identities of famous people, foreign politicians, etc. are emphasised, even if there is no relevance to the story.

		What are the main themes of news in which children are represented?

	Children are depicted more as victims of crime / violence. Other news on children are about disasters, accidents and tragedies. The subject with the least coverage is child labour.

		What are the main characteristics of news coverage of disabled people?

	Those with physical disabilities are represented more, when compared to ones with mental disabilities. Visibility might be an important factor here. News about institutions dealing with people with disabilities are very few and very short.

		How are cultural groups represented in the Turkish media?

	Ethnic and religious groups are the dominant groups in the representation of the ‘cultural’ groups. The issues of immigrants and asylum seekers are not visible in the news.